The Odisha government has announced the suspension of ration cards for approximately 20.58 lakh beneficiaries who failed to complete their e-KYC verification. Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra stated that the deadline for e-KYC verification was Monday, June 30th. The e-KYC initiative, launched in August 2024, aimed to remove ineligible and deceased beneficiaries from the National and State Food Security Schemes. The deadline had been extended multiple times previously. The government is set to suspend the ration cards of those who have not complied with the e-KYC requirements by the deadline. Affected individuals will be given a three-month window to complete the verification process. During this period, their rice quota will be put on hold. Upon successful completion of the e-KYC process at PDS stores, ration cards will be renewed. The government will deactivate ration cards for those who do not participate. Over 3.25 crore people are covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), and an additional 6.48 lakh are beneficiaries of the State Food Security Scheme (SFSS). Regarding paddy procurement, the government has procured 19 lakh metric tonnes during the current Rabi crop season, exceeding the 12 lakh metric tonnes procured during the last Rabi season. Paddy procurement will continue for farmers who have already obtained tokens.
